Companies seek to hide Indiana data center details with NDAs
Companies are using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to hide details of data center projects from the public and local officials in Indiana, as exemplified by Google's "Project Louie" in Monrovia. This lack of transparency, coupled with state policies incentivizing data center development, is fueling resident opposition over environmental concerns and property value impacts. Local governments are often compelled to approve projects for tax revenue despite community pushback and concerns about NDAs.
In Monrovia, Morgan County, Indiana, residents like Gina and Darin Madsen were blindsided by the construction of a 400-acre data center, learning its developer was Google months after the deal was signed. This lack of transparency stemmed from a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed by the Morgan County Board of Commissioners, a practice reportedly common across Indiana and nationwide for data center developments. Despite community opposition, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved rezoning for "Project Louie" from agricultural to a planned unit development, allowing the project to proceed.
The Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism and Limestone Post found that NDAs, which shield company identities and project details, are prevalent in Indiana, with examples including Meta's $10 billion data center campus in Boone County and Amazon's proposed $11 billion campus northwest of South Bend. Critics, including Pat Garofalo of the American Economic Liberties Project and Indiana State Representative Matt Pierce, argue that these agreements undermine democratic principles by preventing public officials from fully informing constituents about significant local developments and their impacts. Although Microsoft recently announced it would discontinue using NDAs, the practice remains widespread.
Indiana's state government actively promotes data center development, with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation providing over $655 million in tax exemptions. The state's 2025 budget bill, SEA 1, further incentivizes local governments to attract large developments like data centers to offset lost property and income tax revenue, often forcing them to approve projects despite local concerns. This has led to broad, bipartisan opposition from communities worried about environmental impacts, strain on utilities, and perceived prioritization of "billionaire tech class" interests over local quality of life.
Community members in Morgan County have organized through groups like "Protect Morgan County" to advocate for greater oversight and clear benefits for local populations, citing concerns over declining property values and the state's influence on local decision-making. As the number of data centers grows, transparency issues related to NDAs and code names are increasingly viewed as a significant challenge for informed community governance.